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HELENA CHRISTENSEN REVEALS MODELLING GAVE HER LOW SELF-ESTEEM


October 21, 2001
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She ruled the catwalks for almost a decade, but Danish beauty Helena Christensen says that she never felt comfortable as a model, the profession from which she has now retired. “I feel so much better about myself because, when you’re modelling, people are always pointing out your imperfections and you never feel like you’re good enough,” she says. “But all that leaves you when you no longer do it. You just forget about what’s wrong and focus on what’s right.”

Now a successful photographer, Helena is extremely content with her career. “I love being behind the camera,” she says. “It’s an amazing outlet to express your creativity and I feel that it has made me a happier, more content person.” The 33-year-old leads a nomadic existence these days, travelling between London, Paris, New York and Copenhagen with her boyfriend, cult American actor Norman Reedus, and their one-year-old son Mingus.

“I love the way we live,” explains Helena. “I’m like a gypsy and love to travel. I hate the thought of having to live in one place and I can’t see that changing.” She refutes allegations that she and Norman, who was the star of a Prada menswear advertising campaign a few years back, are about to tie the knot, saying that they’re happy with the way things stand.

Although Helena describes motherhood as “amazing,” she was not planning a baby brother or sister for Mingus just yet. “Childbirth is the most painful experience of any woman’s life,” she says. “It’s painful during and after it, and it’s a pain that you never forget and I’m not in a hurry to experience that pain again. But I’m so glad that I’ve got Mingus.”

Photo: © Alphapress.com
During her tenure as one of the world's top models, Helena Christensen's imperfections were often pointed out to her, making her feel ugly
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The half-Danish, half-Peruvian model lives with actor and occasional model Norman Reedus, with whom she has a son, Mingus
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Helena and Mingus, who is now one year old, out and about. The two of them and Norman divide their time between Paris, London, New York and Copenhagen, which appeals to Helena's gypsy mentality

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